Philippines Mission--Week 33

Maajong buntag! Kini ang akong semana! (This is my week!)

November 16th, Monday, Sister Herdegen and I got to have an activity with some members in Valencia. We went to the beach behind a member's home (Sister Paz) and played some games and got to know each other a little bit better. After the activity, we went back to Sister Paz's home and had some BBQ! It was lami kaajo! The activity was pretty fun. We played "Bagio, Baboy, Bahay", or in English, "Storm, Pig, House" (Don't worry, I will explain when I go back home because it's hard to explain over the internet haha), but it was a pretty funny game to play because everyone was yelling and running around. It was a nice way to get to know people and just kind of relax for a while.

November 17th, Tuesday, Sister Herdegen and I were prepared to go to our District meeting, when we get a call that our sister training leaders would be coming over and have 'last-minute, surprise' exchanges! So that was a shocker! Sister Sumiran (my old STL) and Sister Detal (one of my old STL's as well) came over and had exchanges with us! I got to be companions with Sister Sumiran again so that was awesome! After our District meeting, we went over and ate at Sister Paz's home and so Sister Sumiran got to be in her old area again. And then we traveled to Garcia and visited Sister Mary Grace. We ended up teaching her about our purpose on earth and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I love being able to teach with Sister Sumiran because the lessons kind of just flow, and the way we teach together just flows. Sister Mary Grace understood clearly that our purpose here is to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ in order to return back to our Father in Heaven. She has a baptismal date in December, and so we're really trying to help her get ready for it. It's coming up soon!

After teaching Sister Mary Grace, we went and taught a less active that moved from Tacloban. She keeps saying that when she and her family were in Tacloban, they were really active, but here they aren't. We taught her about reading from the Book of Mormon and enduring to the end. It was my first time teaching her, and she was pretty open and talked about her husband having a word of wisdom problem and how it's hard to go to church, but she and her family really want to.

After teaching her, we walked over and decided to visit a former investigator, Pascuel, and teach him about the Gospel and how it can bless families. Pasuel had a baptismal date and was going to church, but then had a stroke and was in the hospital and has been sick for months. He said we can return to teach him, but it's so sad because he's always in his bed hooked up to tubes. But I know that if he follows the commandments, Heavenly Father can make him better.

November 20th, Friday, Sister Herdegen and I went on splits with some members, and I ended up working in Garcia. Sister Paz and I were companions and we taught Sister Mary Grace about the law of chastity. She had been taught this before because she has a boyfriend. She really understood everything and how important it is to follow the law of chastity. She wants to be married, but her boyfriend wants to marry in the Catholic church and she doesn't want to because she knows that this church is the only true church of Christ. We committed her to pray about her relationship/decision to stay together or break up.

November 21st, Saturday, Sister Herdegen and I taught a Sister Merly Bag-o in Garcia. She is a new investigator and is really progressing! I remember the first time we taught her, she was really quiet, and told us the moment we asked to share that she doesn't mind listening, but has no intention on changing religions. She would also tell us that she is struggling with her relationship with her boyfriend, and that she's in too much pain when she thinks of him. But then when we visited her again, her whole countenance was different. She just seemed happier and more at peace. We followed up on whether or not she read the pamphlet. She said that she read it all! And she was pretty happy! We did an overview of the four foundations of Christ's Church and she was so happy because she remembered! We then taught her about Joseph Smith and the Restoration, and she really understood it well! Towards the end of the lesson, she told us that she really wants to go to church, and that before when she'd think of her boyfriend, she'd get really depressed/worried about their relationship, but now she's at peace. She said that she will be at peace even if they don't stay together, because of our messages for her. She just feels like she's learning a lot and is always telling us that she really wants to continue learning more and listening. The only problem is getting her to come to church. She lives kind of in the mountain area of Garcia, and lives alone with her two kids, now that her boyfriend isn't coming home. She said that she's struggling so much and really wants to go to church but barely has enough money to pay for the food to feed her little kids. I know that Heavenly Father will provide a way if she just continues to be faithful. She's so awesome!!

November 22nd, Sunday, we had stake conference in Tagbilaran! Sister Herdegen and I traveled to Garcia to pick up Sister Mary Grace to go with her to the conference, but she ended up being sick. So then we took a rela to Brother Bill and Emma Smalley's home because they were going to give us all a ride, but they ended up not being there. So we called them and they told us they were on their way to Tagbilaran and completely forgot to pick us up. haha! So we had to take a bus back to our home where the Smalley's were waiting to pick us up. The whole morning was kind of a mess. But then we finally all got to the church and got to talk with all of the members, and I got to see the members from Jagna again! It was so awesome being able to talk to them all and see how they're doing. The conference was pretty good. It was about family and how important it is, and about keeping the Sabbath Day Holy. I feel like that's always one of the subjects during conferences. I'm guessing member's really need help with that! But after the conference, we socialized a bit, and then traveled back to Valencia. Sister Herdegen and I went on splits with some members again and worked in Valencia and Garcia to try and teach more people. It was a very tiring day, but I still had a lot of fun and felt the Spirit strongly, especially during the conference.

Well, this is my week so far! I've seen the many blessings that Heavenly Father has blessed me and Sister Herdegen with. I've seen the investigators progressing and having this desire to learn more about the one true church.

I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the one true church of Jesus Christ here on the earth. I know that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God who saw our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ. And I know that the Book of Mormon is true, and the more we read it, the closer we draw to our Father in Heaven and the more help we have in our lives.

I love you all!

Love,

Sister Johnson